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Thursday, August 28, 2008

A recent study has shown that breastfed babies are at risk for Vitamin D decificiency, and that the AAP currently recommends that exclusively breastfed babies receive Vitamind D drops. This is not something that was ever recommended to me by my pediatrician, who felt it was unnecessary. Perhaps it is because I live in Florida and we all get plenty of sunshine. However, according to the article, black and dark-skinned children are at a higher risk for Vitamin D deficiency because people of color do not absorb the vitamin as easily through the skin. An article that recently appeared in the New York Times states that many pediatricians are nervous about speaking about this issue because they don't want to appear anti-breastfeeding or discourage breastfeeding at a time when the rates are at an all-time high.According to the author of the study, Dr. Cynthia Gordon, many women now are Vitamin D deficient themselves because, as a society, we drink more soda and juice and less milk. So mom's levels of Vitamin D are low, her breast milk has low levels of Vitamin D and the baby ends up deficient. Of course, breast milk is still perfect nutrition for babies, but if you're concerned, you should talk to your pediatrician about adding in Vitamin D drops.

A recent study has shown that breastfed babies are at risk for Vitamin D decificiency, and that the AAP currently recommends that exclusively breastfed babies receive Vitamind D drops. This is not something that was ever recommended to me by my pediatrician, who felt it was unnecessary. Perhaps it is because I live in Florida and we all get plenty of sunshine. However, according to the article, black and dark-skinned children are at a higher risk for Vitamin D deficiency because people of color do not absorb the vitamin as easily through the skin. An article that recently appeared in the New York Times states that many pediatricians are nervous about speaking about this issue because they don't want to appear anti-breastfeeding or discourage breastfeeding at a time when the rates are at an all-time high.According to the author of the study, Dr. Cynthia Gordon, many women now are Vitamin D deficient themselves because, as a society, we drink more soda and juice and less milk. So mom's levels of Vitamin D are low, her breast milk has low levels of Vitamin D and the baby ends up deficient. Of course, breast milk is still perfect nutrition for babies, but if you're concerned, you should talk to your pediatrician about adding in Vitamin D drops.

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